DHS to Create Cybersecurity R&D Center; NIST Offers Help

A proposed Cybersecurity R&D Center is the centerpiece of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) first research agenda for information analysis and infrastructure protection, according to recent testimony presented by Dr. Charles McQueary, Under Secretary for the DHS Science and Technology Directorate, before the House Science Committee.

To be developed in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the DHS Cybersecurity R&D Center will provide a DHS focus for the many cybersecurity research, development, test and evaluation activities underway in the defense and intelligence, academic and private laboratory communities.

Dr. McQueary outlined four roles for the center:

• Promoting and coordinating cybersecurity research, innovation, invention and evaluation in support of the DHS mission needs. It will develop strategic research and development programs and create testing and evaluation programs to address specific gaps in U.S. cybersecurity capabilities. For example, a unique feature of the center will be the utilization of existing, or the development of new, test beds where cybersecurity methods, tools, and approaches can be exercised in a controlled environment and evaluated against common, accepted standards. Developing the test beds and measurement-performance standards will be an element of the center's program.
• Providing communication and coordination among various public and private organizations dealing with the many diverse aspects of cybersecurity. The center will foster national and international cooperation in creating a robust and defensible cyber infrastructure.
• Supporting the operational needs of the Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection directorate relative to vulnerability assessments and new tools and methods for enhancing cybersecurity.
• Cooperating with NSF to foster educational programs and curriculum development to help ensure the nation has the necessary human resources who possess the requisite knowledge and skills to advance and secure the nation's cyber infrastructure. This will be done in conjunction with participating universities who will serve as a nucleus for creating the next generation of scientists and engineers.

The center will be established with FY 2003 funds.

Dr. McQueary's complete testimony, which includes a brief discussion of several other DHS R&D activities in the cybersecurity area, is available at: http://www.house.gov/science/hearings/full03/may14/mcqueary.htm

Commerce-Homeland Security MOU

To help establish cyber-protection technical standards, DHS will work closely with the Department of Commerce's Technology Administration (TA) under an agreement signed last week by Dr. McQueary and the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology Phillip Bond.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) develops a formal working relationship with the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and TA's NIST. NIST research includes programs for the detection of chemical, biological and other explosive threats. NIST is also working to develop "interoperability" standards for first responders and is doing work on cybersecurity, radiation measurements, and biometrics, among other initiatives. For cybersecurity, the goal is to develop common technical standards to support U.S. Industry and DHS.

"The MOU formalizes a collaboration that will serve both of our Federal agencies well. NIST has already been engaged in providing technical expertise in several important national homeland security priorities. DHS can continue to rely on NIST to assist industry through standards and measurements in bringing new homeland security technologies into the marketplace. I look forward to working closely with the DHS Science and Technology Directorate," said Arden Bement, NIST Director.